How to Start a Forest Bathing Business

Start a forest bathing business by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Forest Bathing Business
2. Form your Forest Bathing Business into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Forest Bathing Business for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Forest Bathing Business
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Forest Bathing Business
7. Get Forest Bathing Business Insurance
8. Define your Forest Bathing Business Brand
9. Create your Forest Bathing Business Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your forest bathing business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

• What will you name your business?
• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?
• How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is very important. Read our detailed guide on how to name your business. We recommend checking if the business name you choose is available as a web domain and securing it early so no one else can take it.

What are the costs involved in opening a forest bathing business?

Opening your forest bathing business can be relatively affordable because you can do business out of your home. However, if you are not yet certified in forest therapy, you will need to go through a training program. Tuition for a six-month core training program at the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy (ANFT) is $2,995. After you complete the initial training program, you will need to go through a four-day immersion program, which costs $495. 

 

What are the ongoing expenses for a forest bathing business?

The ongoing cost of operating a forest bathing business is minimal. You only need a phone and a laptop to communicate with clients and market your services. Depending on how often you are out on the trail, you will need to replace your outdoor gear – but your work does not involve strenuous hiking, just walking on easy trails. Likely the biggest ongoing expense will be post-certification courses like the $495 four-day immersion courses offered by the ANFT. 

Who is the target market?

The target market for a forest bathing business is anyone who can benefit from stress reduction and a focus on their general health. But, while anyone can probably benefit from your services, you will still want to hone in on a more niche market so you can gain traction at the beginning. You will have to decide who you think will be most interested in your business. Some possible target markets could be mental healthcare facilities, customers of outdoor stores, and business executives. 

How does a forest bathing business make money?

A forest bathing business makes money by charging clients for guided forest bathing sessions. Some businesses will offer multiple types of sessions, including half-day, all-day, and even multi-day forest bathing experiences.

How much can you charge customers?

The cost of forest bathing varies depending on what organization is offering the service and depending on the length and complexity of the guided trips. One guide offers three-hour walks for $30 and a $199 all-day experience at a spa. Another company offers a 50-minute guided experience for $160. 

How much profit can a forest bathing business make?

Forest bathing businesses are not typically big profit earners on their own. Of course, if your services become popular enough and you have a steady business, you could make more than most similar businesses do. As stated before, most forest bathing guides offer their services as a side gig or as one of several services, such as running an outdoor holiday retreat center. 

How can you make your business more profitable?

Probably the most surefire way to increase your profits is to build a business that offers more than just forest bathing. For example, if you started an outdoor-oriented health retreat that offered massage, spa services, and forest bathing guided trips, you would be able to significantly increase your profits. 

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your forest bathing business is sued.

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is right for entrepreneurs who have a deep appreciation for forests and enjoy spending substantial amounts of time in them. Forest bathing guides come from a variety of backgrounds, but many have a background in counseling, healthcare, and other industries focused on helping others. 

What happens during a typical day at a forest bathing business?

A typical day in a forest bathing business begins with meeting clients at the beginning of a forest trail. After you explain the basic guidelines of a forest bathing session, you will take your clients on a slow walk through the forest. The walks are typically a short distance – a half-mile or less – and not physically demanding. The goal is to get your clients into a natural environment and help them to gently focus on the environment around them. At the end of the session, you will guide your clients out and do a final recap before parting ways. 

When you are not guiding clients, you will be answering inquiries from potential clients, handling billing and bookkeeping, and establishing working relationships with those responsible for the land you use – such as landowners or foundations.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful forest bathing business?

Compassion and patience are two qualities that can help you improve as a forest bathing guide. Clients can struggle when first introduced to the practice, and it’s your job to carefully keep them on track. It’s also important to train yourself in the practice of forest bathing by taking a course and getting your certification. Forest bathing has been carefully developed over the decades into a refined practice, and your clients will get the most benefit if you practice as directed.

What is the growth potential for a forest bathing business?

While forest bathing is becoming more well-known, thus far it has not become a “hot” type of therapy. Forest bathing on its own may not be guaranteed to become a major profit producer, but the complementary and alternative medicine market overall is growing. In 2020, the global market was valued at over $82 billion and predicted to grow substantially in the coming years.